I was in Target at 9:07 p.m., scouring for last minute gifts for my kids’ Easter baskets. Props to Target for clean aisles, GREAT customer service and cool stuff. I found bubble-blowing guns, plastic gardening tools and sample-size moon sand. Note the “outdoor” theme…
I hadn’t really planned on a big basket. Is there an equivalent to Ebenezer Scrooge for Easter? But tonight my five year-old added in his prayer, “And bless the Easter Bunny that he will come” and then I realized how important it was to him. Unfortunately, at this late hour, most of the Easter candy was picked through. (They were completely out of Whoppers Robin Eggs. Yikes!) I suppose that’s what I get for being a procrastinator. Lateness has served as a constant companion in my life. I don’t enjoy it, but have come to expect it. Did I mention I was even born a few days late? Maybe I can attribute my behaviors to that.
Score: Target 2; Wal-Mart 0.
Evil. Awesome. Ghetto. Fill in the blank.
From a middle class consumer perspective, Wal-Mart is a lifesaver for one’s pocketbook. For $120, I’m able to purchase all food needs to feed a family of five mouths for one week. This includes fresh meats and fruits and veggies. However, as I push my cart from aisle to aisle, I can’t help but notice how “ghetto” Wal-Mart is. And every Wal-Mart “ghetto” is the same. From the stock (or lack of stock,) to the setup of the store, to the complete lack of customer service and lack of check-out cashiers. And while I end up with a great grocery bill, I’m usually out of sorts about the whole experience.
Here are the needed items on my list that they were out of last night at 8 p.m.
- Cherry flavored Craisins
- Provolone cheese slices (Wal-Mart brand)
- String cheese (Cache Valley brand)
- All pepperoni (seriously, the entire display was empty. No brands of any kind.)
- Movie Theatre Butter popcorn (Orville Redenbacher)
- Yellow squash
- BANANAS (for crying out loud!!)
- Gallon size storage bags (Wal-Mart brand)
And while their diaper prices are cheapest around town, they usually happen to be out my baby’s size when I need them. Thankfully, I didn’t need them yesterday.
I realize, as I wander through the aisles, zigzagging around the pallets of boxes, that they’re about to restock after 10 p.m. However, you would think a corporation of this magnitude would be able to keep things stocked in their stores throughout the day.
My aggravation doesn’t even cover the usual frustration of trying to find someone to help you, or standing in one of four check-out lanes for 30 minutes. But that’s for another day. I know the adage, “you get what you pay for.” And Wal-Mart is cheap. I suppose after watching clips of Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, I should think again about continuing to support their corporation. I guess I must enjoy torturing myself.
Score: SuperTarget 1. Wal-Mart 0.
